Photochemical reactions of transition metal organyl complexes with olefins Part 10. Light-induced formal [5+2] cycloadditions at manganese

Tricarbonyl-η⁵-2,4-dimethyl-2,4-pentadien-1-yl-manganese (1) forms upon UV irradiation in THF at 208 K solvent stabilized dicarbonyl-η⁵-2,4-dimethyl-2,4-pentadien-1-yl-tetrahydrofurane-manganese (2). With butynedioic acid dimethyl ester (3) and diphenylacetylene (5) complex 2 yields tricarbonyl-η⁵-1,2-dimethoxycarbonyl-4,6-dimethyl- cyclohepta-2,4-dien-1-yl-manganese (4) and tricarbonyl-η-4,6-dimethyl-1,2-diphenyl-cyclohepta-2,4-dien-1-yl- manganese (6) in a formal [5+2] cycloaddition. Addition of carbon monoxide and a 1,4-H shift completes the reaction. Propynoic acid methyl ester (7) forms the 2:1 adduct dicarbonyl-η^5:2-1,3-dimethyl-6-methoxycarbonyl-6- (E-2′-methoxycarbonylvinyl)-cyclohepta-2,4-dien-1-yl-manganese (8). The crystal and molecular structure of 8 was determined by X-ray structure analysis. The molecular structures of the complexes 4 and 6 were established by IR and NMR spectroscopy. Formation mechanisms of 4, 6 and 8 are discussed. Crystal data for 8: monoclinic space group P2₁/c, a=802.6(3), b=1136.6(1), c=8872.3(3) pm, β=93.14(2)°, V=1.705 nm³, Z=4.     

Crystal structure of the mononuclear complex [Mn(mesalim)2Cl] and electrochemical studies of manganese complexes of the ligand Hmesalim

The complex [Mn(mesalim)₂Cl] (1), (Hmesalim = methyl salicylimidate) has been synthesized and fully characterized. The manganese(III) complex is formed by the reaction of the ligand Hmesalim with manganese(II) chloride. Complex 1 is mononuclear and crystallizes in the space group . Electrochemical studies were performed for complex 1, as well as for the related complexes [Mn(mesalim)₂(OAc)(MeOH] · MeOH (2) and [Mn₂(etsalim)₄(Hetsalim)₂](ClO₄)₂ (3), (Hetsalim = ethyl salicylimidate). The complexes display intricate oxidation-reduction behaviour, and coulometric analyses in combination with electrochemical analyses have been used to understand the electron transfer mechanisms occurring at the electrodes.     

Iron and manganese complexes of benzothiazolyformazans

A series of Iron (Fe(II)) and manganese (Mn(II)) complexes of 1,3-substituted 5-(2-benzothiazolyl)formazans are reported. The crystal structures of the Fe(II) and Mn(II) complexes of 1,3-diphenyl-5-(2-benzothiazolyl)formazan are very similar and both contain a coordination sphere of four five-membered rings involving the N¹ and N³ nitrogen atoms of the formazan chain and the N² of the heterocyle resulting in a distorted octahedral structure in both cases. The distortions arise primarily from the spatial requirements of the bulky phenyl substituents.     

Molecular structure and reactions of azobenzene complexes with iron-lithium compounds

Reactions of azobenzene have been studied with heteronuclear iron-lithium compounds formed in the reaction of FeCl₃ with LiPh, one of the dinitrogen reducing systems of the Vol'pin type: Ph₄FeLi₄(OEt₂)₄ (1) and (H₂)FePh₄Li₄(OEt₂)₄ (2). The structures of the azobenzene complexes formed, (N₂Ph₂)₃FeLi₃(OEt₂)₃ (3) and (N₂Ph₂)₃FeLi₂(THF)₂ (4), as well as an ether-containing analog of the latter, (N₂Ph₂)₃FeLi₂(OEt₂)₂ (5), were determined by X-ray analysis of single crystals. Coordination of azobenzene at FeLi₃ and FeLi₂ clusters was shown to result in a sigificant elongation of the NN bond; partial cleavage of this bond on protolysis of the complexes resulted in the formation of hydrazobenzene and aniline. Magnetic susceptibility measurements and theoretic analysis of a similar model complex leads to the conclusion that the iron oxidation state in 3 may be considered between iron (I) and iron(III) (close to iron(I)), whereas in 4 and 5 it is close to iron(II).     

The synthesis and structures of tantalum complexes that contain a triamido or a diamidoamine ligand

Addition of (Me₃SiNHCH₂CH₂)₂NH (H₃[N₃(TMS)]) or (Me₃SiNH-o-C₆H₄)₂NH (H₃[ArN₃(TMS)]) to a solution of TaMe₅ yields [N₃(TMS)]TaMe₂ or [ArN₃(TMS)]TaMe₂, respectively. An X-ray study of [ArN₃(TMS)]TaMe₂ showed it to have an approximate trigonal bipyramidal structure in which the two methyl groups are in equatorial positions and the triamido ligand is approximately planar. Addition of (C₆F₅NHCH₂CH₂)₂NH (H₃[N₃(C₆F₅)]) to TaMe₅ yields first [(C₆F₅NCH₂CH₂)₂NH]TaMe₃, which then decomposes to [(C₆F₅NCH₂CH₂)₂N]TaMe₂. An X-ray study of [(C₆F₅NCH₂CH₂)₂N]TaMe₂ shows it to be approximately a trigonal bipyramid, but the C₆F₅ rings are oriented so that they lie approximately in the TaN₃ plane and two ortho fluorines interact weakly with the metal. Trimethylaluminum attacks the central nitrogen atom in [N₃(TMS)]TaMe₂ to give [(Me₃SiNCH₂CH₂)₂NAlMe₃]TaMe₂, an X-ray study of which shows it to be a trigonal bipyramidal species similar to the first two structures, except that the C-Ta-C bond angle is approximately 30° smaller (106.6(12)°). Addition of B(C₆F₅)₃ to [(C₆F₅NCH₂CH₂)₂NH]TaMe₃ yields {[(C₆F₅NCH₂CH₂)₂NH]TaMe₂}⁺ {B(C₆F₅)₃Me}⁻, the structure of which most closely resembles that of [(Me₃SiNCH₂CH₂)₂NAlMe₃]TaMe₂ in that the C-Ta-C angle is 102.0(6)°. The C₆F₅ rings in {[(C₆F₅NCH₂CH₂)₂NH]TaMe₂}⁺ are turned roughly perpendicular to the TaN₃ plane, i.e. ortho fluorines do not interact with the metal in this molecule.     

The versatile coordination chemistry of tricyanoethenolate, [(NC)2C=C(CN)O]

The reaction of meso-tetrakis (4-dimethoxyphenyl) porphinatomanganese(II), MnTP_OMeP, with TCNE (TCNE = tetracyanoethylene) leads to the formation of [MnTP_OMeP]⁺ [TCNE]⁻ and [MnTP_OMeP]⁺[OC(CN)C(CN)₂]⁻. The single-crystal X-ray structures of the latter as well as [Cu(bipy)₂Cl]⁺ [OC(CN)C(CN)₂]⁻ were determined. The former has a disordered [OC(CN)C(CN)₂]⁻ bridging via C and O between a pair of Mn^III sites, whereas the latter has an isolated [OC(CN)C(CN)₂]⁻ unbound to Cu^II. The IR characterization for μ₂-C,O bound [OC(CN)C(CN)₂]⁻ is at 2219m and 2196s (νCN) cm⁻¹ and at 1558s (νCO) cm⁻¹ while for unbound [OC(CN)C(CN)₂]⁻ it is at 2210m, 2203m, 2181m (νCN) cm⁻¹ and at 1583s (νCO) cm⁻¹.     

A seven-coordinate manganese(II) complex formed with the single heptadentate ligand N,N,N′-tris(2-pyridylmethyl)-N′-(2-salicylideneethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine

The new disymmetric ligand N,N,N′-tris(2-pyridylmethyl)-N′-(2-salicylideneethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine (LH) has been synthesized in the search of a novel type of manganese complex to mimic the active site of the water-oxidizing enzyme in photosystem II. The complex [Mn(II)L]ClO₄ has been obtained and characterized by X-ray diffraction techniques. It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group Pn with the following unit cell parameters: a=10.164(3), b=10.122(4), c=14.166(5) Å, β=93.48(2)° and Z=2. The manganese ion is heptacoordinated with the coordination being achieved by only one ligand; it is bonded to the oxygen atom of the phenolate group in an axial position, the imino and the three pyridine nitrogen atoms in an equatorial position and the two amine atoms in a pseudo-axial position. The coordination polyhedron is best described as a distorted monocapped trigonal prism. This structure was compared with the seven-coordinated Mn(II) complexes deposited in the Cambridge Structured Database (CSD). The redox potential of the Mn(III)/Mn(II) couple was determined by cyclic voltammetry.     

Titanium complexes with chiral amino alcohol ligands: synthesis and structure of complexes related to hydroamination catalysts

Titanium complexes with chiral amino alcohol ligands are useful precatalysts for the intramolecular hydroamination of aminoallenes. They can be synthesized via protonolysis of titanium dimethylamide starting materials with the free ligand. In most cases, the resulting materials are not isolable due to their oily nature. However, several complexes were prepared in pure form and isolated as solid materials. [Ti(Cl)(NMe₂)(-OCH₂CH(Ph)N(CHMe₂)-]₂ was prepared at room temperature from TiCl(NMe₂)₃ and the corresponding N-substituted d-amino alcohol; the dimeric nature of the complex was established by X-ray crystallography. [Ti(NMe₂)₂(-OCH₂CH(Ph)N(2-Ad)-)]₂ (2-Ad = 2-Adamantyl) was prepared from Ti(NMe₂)₄ and the corresponding N-substituted l-amino alcohol after prolonged heating. An intermediate complex that could not be purified or isolated is believed to be Ti(NMe₂)₃(-OCH₂CH(Ph)NH(2-Ad)). Two complexes with the composition TiCl₂(-OCH₂CH(R*)N(CHMe₂)-)(HNMe₂) (where R* = CH₂Ph or CHMe₂) were prepared at room temperature by protonolysis of TiCl₂(NMe₂)₂ with the corresponding N-substituted l-amino alcohols. These two complexes exhibit dynamic behavior on the NMR timescale that is believed to be a dimer-monomer equilibrium, but they decompose at elevated temperatures.     

Reactions of agostic manganese complexes with molecular hydrogen

Reactions between manganese agostic species having (Mn---C---H) interactions and molecular hydrogen have been investigated. Treatment of the bridging agostic cyclooctenylmanganese tricarbonyl, 3, and butenylmanganese tricarbonyl, 5, with hydrogen in benzene results in the formation of the cyclohexadienylmanganese tricarbonyl compound 4. This suggests that the hydrogen molecule is highly reactive toward organometallic manganese complexes containing an agostic C---H bond. In these reactions (η²-H₂) bonded species are plausible intermediates but these are not detected by NMR. The results indicate that the suggested intermediates in the reactions may be useful as hydrogenation catalysts and as precursors to prepare new manganese compounds which may not be accessible by other pathways.     

Synthesis, crystal structures and magnetic properties of transition metal–azide complexes coordinated with pyridyl nitronyl nitroxides

Two novel complexes Co(N₃)₂(PNN)₄ (I) and Mn(N₃)₂(PNN)₂(CH₃OH)(C₂H₅OH) (II) (PNN=2-(p-pyridyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3–oxide) were synthesized and characterized by infrared spectra, elemental analyses and UV–Vis techniques. The crystal structures of both complexes have been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. Complex I is a neutral five-spin system and adopts a centrosymmetric tetragonally compressed octahedral coordination geometry in which Co(II) ion is coordinated to four radicals through the nitrogen atoms of the pyridine rings and two azide anions occupying the axial positions. Complex II is a neutral three-spin system in which Mn(II) ion is bound to two azide anions, two alcohol molecules and two radicals through the nitrogen atom of pyridine rings, and shows one-dimensional chain structure via hydrogen bonds (d_ON=2.78 Å). The magnetic properties for complexes I and II have been investigated in the temperature range 2–300 K. A theoretical model has been developed for complex I and the magnetic behaviors for both complexes have been discussed in detail.     

The synthesis of substituted bis[(diarylphosphinomethyl)cyclopentadienyl]zirconocene dichloride complexes for the preparation of heterodimetallic complexes containing early/late transition metal combinations

Fulvenes (1a–e) derived from condensation of cyclopentadiene with acetone or a variety of aldehydes were treated with LiPAr₂ (Ar = phenyl, p-tolyl) to yield the respective substituted (diarylphosphinomethyl)cyclopentadienides (2, 3). Subsequent reaction with ZrCl₄(THF)₂ gave the respective bis[(diarylphosphinomethy])cyclopentadienyl]zirconium dichlorides ( Ar = phenyl (4), p-tolyl (5)). The complex rac-[C₅H₄-CH(CH₃)-PPh₂]₂ZrCl₂ (rac-4b) was characterized by X-ray diffraction. The reaction of complexes 4a and 5a [(Cp-CMe₂-PAr₂)₂ZrCl₂] with PdCl₂(NCPh)₂ or PtCl₂(NCPh)₂ leads to the formation of the trans-(metallocene-chelate-phosphane)metal complexes 6–9 (e.g. trans-Cl₂Pd(Ph₂P-CMe₂-Cp)₂ZrCl₂]. Chloride abstraction from the reaction product of [Cp-CH(CMe₃)PPh₂]₂ZrCl₂ with PdCl₂(NCPh)₂ eventually gave the cationic complex [meso,trans-(Cp-CH(CMe₃)PPh₂)₂(Cl)Zr(μ-Cl)Pd(Cl)]⁺ (10) that was also characterized by X-ray diffraction. It features a dimetallabicyclic framework with two Cp-CHR-PPh₂ ligands and a chloride bridging between the early and the late transition metal center.     

Catalytic and electrochemical properties of new manganese(III) compounds of 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-oxazoline (Hphox or HClphox). Molecular structures of [Mn(Clphox)2(MeOH)2](ClO4) and [Mn(phox)2(MeOH)2][Mn(phox)2(ClO4)2](H2O)2

New manganese(III) complexes of Hphox (2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-oxazoline) and HClphox (2-(5′-chloro-2′-hydroxyphenyl)-oxazoline) have been synthesised. The X-ray structures of [Mn(phox)₂(MeOH)₂][Mn(phox)₂(ClO₄)₂](H₂O)₂ and [Mn(Clphox)₂(MeOH)₂](ClO₄) show the manganese(III) ions to be octahedrally coordinated with methanol or perchlorate at the axial coordination sites. The cyclic voltammograms of the complexes, with the exception of [Mn(phox)₂(acac)] (Hacac=2,4-pentanedione), show an irreversible reduction wave of manganese(III) to manganese(II). After addition of an excess of 1-methylimidazole (1-Meim), the reduction process shifts towards lower potentials and becomes (quasi-) reversible, indicating that the presence of 1-Meim affects the catalytic efficiency of the complexes. The complexes catalyse the epoxidation of styrene by dihydrogen peroxide. The cumulative turnover numbers towards styrene oxide obtained after 15 min. vary from 16 for [Mn(Clphox)₂(MeOH)₂](ClO₄) to 26 for [Mn(phox)₂(acac)]. Ligand degradation appears to be the limiting factor for obtaining higher turnover numbers.     

Synthesis of polymer- and silica-supported manganese phosphine complexes and their reaction with oxygen

A series of polymer- and silica-supported manganese phosphine complexes has been prepared and characterized. These complexes react reversibly with molecular oxygen in the solid state to yield 1:1 Mn:O₂ adducts. The reaction may be reversed either by a pressure drop or a temperature rise. All the O₂ adducts are highly colored and binding curves as a function of the partial pressure of oxygen have been constructed. The silica-supported complexes can be prepared from ligand-silanes either by reaction with dehydrated silica and then with anhydrous manganese(II) bromide or vice versa.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of five-, six-, and seven-coordinate mononuclear manganese(II) complexes with N-tridentate ligands

A series of four mononuclear manganese (II) complexes with the N-tridentate neutral ligands 2,2^′:6,2^′′-terpyridine (terpy) and N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylamine (bpea) have been synthesized and crystallographically characterized. The complexes have five- to seven-coordinate manganese(II) ions depending on the additional ligands used. The [Mn(bpea)(Br)₂] complex (1) has a five-coordinated manganese atom with a bipyramidal trigonal geometry, while [Mn(terpy)₂](I)₂ (2) is hexa-coordinated with a distorted octahedral geometry. Otherwise, the reactions of Mn(NO₃)₂ · 4H₂O with terpy or bpea afforded novel seven-coordinate complexes [Mn(terpy)(NO₃)₂(H₂O)] (3) and [Mn(bpea)(NO₃)₂] (4), respectively. 3 has a coordination polyhedron best described as a distorted pentagonal bipyramid geometry with one nitrate acting as a bidentate chelating ligand and the other nitrate as a monodentate one. 4 possesses a highly distorted polyhedron geometry with two bidentate chelating nitrate ligands. These complexes represent unusual examples of structurally characterized complexes with a coordination number seven for the Mn(II) ion and join a small family of nitrate complexes.     

A series of heteroleptic complexes of the type fac-[MnL2] [H2L=derivatives of N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)glycine or N-(5-nitro-2-hydroxybenzyl)sarcosine] possessing unusual Mn(III) co-ordination spheres

The mononuclear manganese(III) complexes [C₅H₁₀NH₂][MnL₂] [L²⁻=a substituted N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)glycinate (hbg²⁻) viz. 3,5-dibromo- (3,5-Br-hbg²⁻), 3,5-dichloro- (3,5-Cl-hbg²⁻), 3-methyl-5-chloro- (3,5-Me,Cl-hbg²⁻), 5-bromo- (5-Br-hbg²⁻), 5-chloro- (5-Cl-hbg²⁻), 5-nitro- (5-NO₂-hbg²⁻) or N-(5-nitro-2-hydroxybenzyl)sarcosine (5-NO₂-hbs²⁻)] have been synthesised by reaction of the appropriate ligand with manganese(II) perchlorate under ambient conditions in a 2:1 molar ratio using piperidine as base. The structures of three of these complexes, [C₅H₁₀NH₂][Mn(3,5-Cl-hbg)₂] (2), [C₅H₁₀NH₂][Mn(5-NO₂-hbg)₂] (6) and [C₅H₁₀NH₂][Mn(5-NO₂-hbs)₂] (7) have been elucidated by single-crystal X-ray crystallography and each displays two similar, independent [MnL₂]⁻ ions in the asymmetric unit linked via piperidinium cations through hydrogen bonding. The ligands co-ordinate in a facial tridentate fashion with the three donor atoms being the phenolate and carboxylate oxygens and the amine nitrogen. The geometry at the Mn centres is compressed rhombic octahedral consistent with a pseudo-Jahn–Teller compression along the Mn–O(phenolate) axis. Mean bond lengths are in the ranges 1.886–1.889 Å for the Mn–O(phenolate), 2.062–2.125 Å for the Mn–O(carboxylate) and 2.091–2.184 Å for the Mn–N(amine) distances. The magnetic susceptibility and electronic and IR spectroscopic data are discussed with reference to the crystal structures.     

Reactions of benzocyclobutene chromium complexes with carbon, nitrogen and oxygen nucleophiles: nucleophilic addition and unexpected proximal ring opening reactions

Tricarbonyl(η⁶-1-oxobenzocyclobutene)chromium(0) (1) can be transformed to tricarbonyl(η⁶-1-endo-hydroxybenzocyclobutene) chromium(0) derivatives with substituents R (R=CH₃, CH=CH₂, (CH₂)₄CH=CH₂, (CH₂)₄OSi(Me)₂tBu) at Cl on the exo face of the complex. The relative configuration is proven by an X-ray crystal structure analysis of the trimethylsilyl ether 8 (C₁₆H₁₈CrO₄Si: a=8.693(1), b=9.490(1), c=11.063(1) Å, =97.51(1), β=110.32(1), γ=95.38(1)°, triclinic, space group P (No.2), R=0.037, R_w=0.052 for 4609 observed reflections. Attempts directed at an intramolecular cycloaddition of the ortho-quinodimethane complex derived from 17 by anion promoted ring opening unexpectedly resulted in the formation of 12 as the product of an opening of the proximal bond of the anellated ring located between the hydroxy group and the coordinated aromatic ring in 16. The fact that the intermolecular cycloaddition reaction for 16 is possible in the presence of a dienophile is taken as evidence for an equilibrium between the alcoholate 17 and the two ring opened products 16 and 18. The proximal ring opening of 6 is not observed when the free organic ligand 21 is used as the educt. Ketone complexes 1 and 25 undergo proximal ring opening reaction when treated with alcoholate or primary amines.     

Characterization of a dinuclear Mn(II) tri(μ-carboxylato) complex with the hindered hydrotris(3,5-diisopropyl-1-pyrazolyl)borate (=TpPr2) ligand: intramolecular hydrogen bonding interaction between the protonated TpPr2 and Mn-coordinating carboxylate ligands

A dinuclear Mn(II) di(μ-hydroxo) complex having hydrotris(3,5-diisopropyl-1-pyrazolyl)borate (=Tp^iPr₂) reacted with benzoic acid to yield a dinuclear Mn(II) tri(μ-carboxylato) complex, Tp^iPr₂Mn-(μ-OBz)₃-Mn(Tp^iPr₂H). X-ray crystallography reveals the unsymmetrical coordination environments for the manganese centers. One of the two Tp^iPr₂ ligands, which bound to the five-coordinated Mn center, is protonated by the action of the third carboxylic acid and the resulting non-Mn-binding N–H moiety forms an intramolecular hydrogen bond with the oxygen donor of a carboxylate ligand. Steric congestion in the bimetallic core results in the large separation of the manganese centers bridged by the syn-anti carboxylate ligand.     

Steric control in the formation of Co2(CO)6-alkyne complexes from Group 14 tetraalkynes and their reactions with acid

A series of tetrakis(trimethylsilylethyne) derivatives of Group 14 metals (2–4) was prepared. Co₂(CO)₆ complexes 5–10 were synthesised by the reaction of 2–4 with Co₂(CO)₈. From the silyl and germyl based compounds 2 and 3, either one or two alkynes could be complexed with Co₂(CO)₆. In contrast, the tin derived compound 4 could accommodate up to four Co₂(CO)₆ complexes. The longest wavelength UV-Vis absorbances of the silicon and germanium-based complexes were consistent with multiple, non-conjugated Co₂(CO)₆ chromophores. The tetrakis Co₂(CO)₆ complex 10, however, absorbs at a much longer wavelength suggesting conjugation of Co₂(CO)₆ complexes through the tin. The reactivity towards protonolysis of the uncomplexed alkynes 2–4 is a consequence of the hyperconjugative stabilisation of the intermediate β-vinyl cation (the β-effect): Sn(CCSiMe₃)₃>SnOTf(CCSiMe₃)₂>SiMe₃>Ge(CCSiMe₃)₃. The reactivity of the Co₂(CO)₆ complexes, however, was quite different from the reactions of 2–4 and from analogous all-carbon systems. Treatment of 5–10 with strong acid led neither to protiodemetallation of the complexed or non-complexed alkynes but to decomplexation of the cobalt. Similarly, ligand metathesis reactions between 10 and Ph₂SiCl₂ were not observed. The normal reactivity of silylalkynes towards electrophiles, which was expected to be enhanced by the presence of the cobalt complex, was diminished by the particular steric environment of the molecules under examination (5–10). As a result, the favoured reaction under these conditions was decomplexation of the cobalt.     

Rhodium aryloxide complexes containing terdentate nitrogen ligands, C-O bond formation, hydrogen bonding with phenol and oxidative addition reactions. Molecular structure of an Rh(III)-acetyl complex

The new rhodium(I) phenoxide complexes [Rh(OPh) (2,6-(CH=R²)₂C₅H₃N)] (R² = i-Pr(3), t-Bu(4)) containing strongly electrondonating N-N′-N ligands, have been prepared by a metathesis reaction of [RhCl(2,6-(CH=R²)₂C₅H₃N)] (R² = i-Pr (1), t-Bu (2)) with NaOPh. These rhodium(I) phenoxide complexes 3 and 4, which are very sensitive to O₂ but stable towards H₂O, give with phenol the adducts [Rh(OPh) (2,6-(CH=NR²)₂C₅H₃N)] · HOPh (R2 = i-Pr (5), t-Bu (6)), which contain strong O-HO hydrogen bonds. The hydrogen bonded phenol could not be extracted with diethyl ether, while no exchange of the hydrogen bonded phenol and the phenoxide ligand in 4 is observed on the NMR time scale. However, a small excess of phenol results in exchange of the hydrogen bonded phenol, the coordinated phenoxide ligand and free phenol on the NMR time scale. Reaction of 3 and 4 with p-nitrophenol afforded [Rh(OC₆H₄-(NO₂-4))(2,6-(CH=R²)₂C₅H₃N)] · HOPh (R² = i-Pr (7), t-Bu (8)) in which the formed phenol is hydrogen bonded to the Rh(I)-OC₆H₄-(NO₂-4) moiety. The O-HO bond is less strong than in 5 and 6, as the hydrogen bonded phenol could be removed by diethyl ether.Treatment of 3 with acetyl chloride and benzoyl chloride in benzene at room temperature gave phenylacetate and RhCl₂(C(O)C₆H₃) (2,6(C(H)=N-i-Pr)₂C₅H₃N)] (15), and phenylbenzoate and [RhCl₂(C(O)Ph) (2,6-(C(H)=N-i-Pr)₂C₅H₃N)] (19), respectively. Complex 15 and the analogous complex [RhCl₂(C(O)CH₃) (2,6-(C(H)=N-t-Bu)₂C₅H₃N)] (16) could also be prepared directly from acetyl chloride and 1 or 2, respectively. The single crystal X-ray determination of complex 16, monoclinic, space group P2₁/_c, a = 10.0477(5), b= 11.7268(6), c= 19.2336(9) Å, β = 92.041(4)°, Z = 4, R₁ = 0.0281, shows that the acetyl group occupies an axial position, while the N-N′-N ligand is positioned equatorially. In solution this geometry remains unchanged as was shown by variable temperature ¹H NMR measurements. When the oxidative addition of acetyl chloride to 3 was carried out at −78°C in toluene the intermediate complex [RhCl(OPh) (C(O)Me) (2,6-(C(H)=N-i-Pr)₂C₅H₃N)] (11) could be isolated, which at room temperature reductively eliminates phenylacetate with formation of 1. Oxidative addition of acetyl chlori de to 4 at room temperature gives [RhCl(OPh) (C(O)Me) (2,6-(C(H)=Nt-Bu)₂C₅H₃N)] (12) which yields phenylacetate and 2 at 70°C in benzene by inductive elimination. Treatment of 3 with two equivalents of benzyl chloride afforded a mixture of [RhCl(OPh) (CH₂Ph) (2,6-(C(H)=N-i-Pr)₂C₅H₃N)] (13) and [RhCl₂(CH₂Ph) (2,6-(C(H)=N-i-Pr)₂C₅H₃N)] (17) and some non-characterizable organic products, while 4 only yielded [RhCl(OPh) (CH₂Ph) (2,6-(C(H)=N-tBu)₂C₅H₃N)] (14).